Optimization of reproduction of ricefish endemic to Southeast Sulawesi Oryzias woworae Parenti & Hadiaty, 2010 through different sex ratios in spawning

Abstract
Oryzias woworae has a beautiful color and has been traded as ornamental fish. This species is an endemic ricefish from Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, and is threatened with endangered status. Information on the optimal spawning sex ratio in O. woworae is unknown. This study aimed was to examine the optimization of reproduction based on the sex ratio of male: female broodstock O. woworae involved in spawning. The sex ratio of male: female spawning broodstock used were 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. The male and female brooders used had a total length of 3,1 ± 0,5 cm and 2,5 ± 0,5 cm. After adaptation, the broodstock of O. woworae was put into aquariums according to the treatment, and each container contained three spawning substrates. The harvesting of eggs on the substrate is carried out two times a day. The results showed that spawning O. woworae with a ratio of 1♂: 4♀ produced the lowest number of eggs and was significantly different with ratios of 1♂: 1♀ and 1♂: 2♀ (P0,05). The difference in male and female ratios did not affect the survival rate of O. woworae larvae (P>0,05), with values from 91,9-100%. The highest larvae produced was found in the spawning ratio of 1♂ : 3♀ with 37 larvae but not significantly different from other treatments (P>0,05). The water quality values during the study were temperature 26,5-310C, pH 5,5-8,8, and dissolved oxygen 5,3-6,0 mg L-1. O. woworae broodstock spawning can be optimized with a male to female ratio of 1:3.